For Special Prosecutor in Nassau Crime Lab Investigation
 
(Mineola, N.Y.) The following is a statement from Marc Gann, President of the Nassau County Bar Association, in reaction to today’s decision by Judge William Donnino that denies the DA’s application for the appointment of Eric Dinallo as the Special Prosecutor in the Nassau County Crime Lab.
 
“I concur with Judge Donnino’s evaluation. He is more knowledgeable in the law than anyone I know. The most important thing is to get the proper individual appointed as soon as possible so that a full and thorough investigation can be conducted free of potential conflicts of interest, at the same time, ensuring that individual rights are protected.”

-Marc Gann, President, Nassau County Bar Association
 
On February 22, Marc Gann announced the formation of an unprecedented Nassau County Bar Association Crime Lab Task Force composed of leading criminal defense attorneys and representatives of legal organizations to help determine the future of the Nassau County Crime Lab, which was closed on February 18 resulting from questions involving the credibility of lab tests used in criminal cases.

“We are genuinely concerned about the lack of credibility of test results from the crime lab and the effect upon past cases in Nassau County courts,” said Gann. “We want to use this opportunity to be a positive influence on the future of the lab as well as to ensure quick resolution of cases that may have been adversely affected. We are in a unique position to help Nassau County create an even better crime lab to guarantee that the rights of all people are protected.”

The NCBA Crime Lab Task Force will be composed of leading defense attorneys from the Nassau County Bar Association Criminal Law and Procedure Committee, Nassau Legal Aid Society and the Nassau County Criminal Courts Bar Association. The group will be looking at such issues as procedures and policies, timeliness of lab results, content of lab reports, and possible legislation needed to avoid a recurrence of the current situation. “The Task Force will recommend what is needed to reestablish the credibility of the Crime Lab going forward,” Gann noted.

Gann said that any attorney who thinks a closed case or current client may be affected by past crime lab tests should give the information to the District Attorney’s office. The DA will be notifying any incarcerated people of the situation and remind them of their rights.
 
About the Nassau County Bar Association
Founded in 1899, the Nassau County Bar Association, with a membership of nearly 6,000 private and public attorneys, judges, legal educators and law students, is the largest suburban bar association in the country. NCBA demonstrates its commitment to the community by offering a variety of services for the public, including lawyer referral services, senior citizen and mortgage foreclosure clinics, judicial screening, public education programs and support for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, which provides much-needed free legal services for the indigent of Nassau County. For more information, call (516) 747-4070 (Language Line available), email info@nassaubar.org, or visit www.nassaubar.org.